Our stewardship activities are in full swing! Help is needed with a variety of trail building, trail maintenance, and other projects on our nature preserves in the region. Check our events calendar for more volunteer opportunities to come. To receive updates by email, sign up here.
First Fridays in the Field
Join the staff and other volunteers on the first Friday of every month, from May through October, for an assortment of nature preserve management activities and socializing. If you are looking for a good reason to take off a half day on a Friday, this is it! Your assistance is needed to help with a variety of tasks throughout the Finger Lakes region. Work sessions will be held from 2:00-4:30pm, followed by a social hour from 4:30-5:30 – tools, work gloves, light refreshments and snacks will be provided!
Please RSVP with Nature Preserve Manager Jason Gorman by emailing jasongorman@fllt.org or calling 607-275-9487.
Friday, May 4
2:00–5:30 pm
McIlroy Bird Sanctuary
The Dorothy McIlroy Bird Sanctuary is located at the Lake Como Outlet and is bisected by the headwaters of Fall Creek. This preserve contains some of the most ecologically unique areas in the region…rich fens, a peat swamp forest, and one of the most beautiful hemlock groves in the region. Please join FLLT staff and volunteers to continue a property cleanup along one of the preserves boundaries. More info and directions
Friday, June 1
2:00—5:30 pm
Houghton Land Preserve
We knew this preserve would be incredibly popular when we opened it! If you have not visited it yet, or would like to help manage the preserve, please join us to clear brush, and cut back limbs from the edge of a large meadow that is managed for grassland bird habitat. As grassland habitat in NY continues to disappear, it is important to help maintain and expand it. Meet in the main parking area on Spencer Hill Road. More info and directions
Friday, July 6
2:00–5:30 pm
Otisco Lake Preserve–Willowdale Rd., town of Spafford, Onondaga County
Join us at one of the Land Trust’s newest preserves to get a sneak peek and help with the final preparations for public access. Your help is needed to install a new preserve sign, trim and mark the hiking trail, and clear brush around the parking area. Warning: This preserve contains a section of steep terrain, but some tasks will be conducted in and around the parking area.
Learn more about this project.
Follow these directions to the preserve parking area: From State Rt. 41 in the town of Spafford, turn east onto Cold Brook Road (next to the Spafford Fire Dept.). Take the first left onto Willowdale Road. The preserve is located in roughly 4.3 miles, on the right (east) side of Willowdale Road. Map and coordinates can be found here: https://goo.gl/maps/hTYJq7E3H4o
Photo: FLLT
Trailblazer Tuesdays are Back!
Due to the overwhelming success of Trailblazer Tuesdays during the summers of 2016 and 2017, we have decided to continue them for 2018. All tools and work gloves will be provided, and you are welcome to show up and leave whenever is convenient for you. Please wear sturdy shoes, or hiking boots, and bring your own lunch or a snack. Water will be provided.
Please RSVP with Nature Preserve Manager Jason Gorman by emailing jasongorman@fllt.org or calling 607-275-9487.
Tuesday, May 15 and 22
10:00 am–2:30 pm
Owasco Lake Preserve—Sam Adams Rd., town of Niles, Cayuga County
Join Land Trust staff, and your fellow Trailblazers, to help prepare the Owasco Lake Preserve for public access. Your assistance is needed to help demolish and remove an old deck, footbridge, and shed. Learn more about this project.
Directions to the preserve from Auburn: From Rt. 20, turn south on Rt. 38A/E. Lake Rd./Owasco Rd. Follow this road south for approximately 6 miles, then turn right onto Rockefeller Road. In about 2.2 miles, turn right onto Sam Adams Lane. Then take your first right onto Fire Lane 18. The meeting area will be about 1,400’ down the lane on your right hand side, next to a large garage. Fire Lane 18 is a private road, please do not block it.
Directions to the preserve from Moravia: At the four-way intersection of 38 and 38A, head north onto N. Main St./Rockefeller Road. After approximately 7.75 miles, turn left onto Sam Adams Road. After roughly 1.5 miles, turn left onto Fire Lane 18. The meeting area will be about 1,400’ down the lane on your right hand side next to a large garage. Fire Lane 18 is a private road, please do not block it.
Tuesday, June 19 and 26
10:00 am – 2:30 pm
Hinchcliff Family Preserve
Since being formally opened to the public in 2015, the Hinchcliff Family Preserve has been one of the Land Trust’s most popular preserves! Help is needed to create a hiking trail from Covey Road to the Central New York Land Trust’s Ripley Hill Preserve via a narrow strip of land owned by FLLT. For these work days, we will meet in the Hinchcliff Preserve main parking area at the end of Covey Road, and carpool to the Ripley Hill Preserve. Directions to the preserve can be found here.
